I think most of us have been in a hospital facility and have seen a old patient wing now being used as offices. We go into those rooms and find the medical gas & vacuum outlets / inlets, behind a picture or a billboard.
As I read and review the 2021 NFPA 99 Code.
If the outlets are ACCESSIBLE for Repairs, Testing & Maintenance all is GOOD per the written code requirements section #5.1.14.3.5. ( ouch )
As I understand Webster's / The wording removed & decommissioned are both the same in this scenario.
So, My question to the group is ?
Does NFPA 99 Section #5.1.3.5.2:
Support the argument / debate that the outlets & inlets still
are to be removed & decommissioned ?
#5.1.3.5.2
Permitted Locations for Medical Gases.
Central supply systems for oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and all other patient medical gases shall be piped only to medical gas outlets complying with 5.1.5, into areas where the gases will be used under the direction of licensed medical professionals for purposes congruent with the following:
(1) Direct respiration by patients
(2) Clinical application of the gas to a patient, such as the use
of an insufflator to inject carbon dioxide into patient body cavities during laparoscopic surgery and carbon dioxide used to purge heart-lung machine blood flow ways
(3) Medical device applications directly related to respiration
(4) Power for medical devices used directly on patients
(5) Calibration of medical devices intended for 5.1.3.5.2(1)
(6) Simulation centers for the education, training, and
assessment of health care professionals.
NFPA 99 / 2021 EDITION
5.1.14.3.5* When clinical spaces are converted to nonclinical spaces, medical gas inlets and outlets that are not accessible for maintenance and testing shall be either removed or decommissioned.
